Happy Parenting!

Hey All! It’s that time of year again where we all want our skin to look soft, glowing and dewy. Luckily, I found what looks like the perfect product for all skin types. It’s called Glycolic 50 and I can’t wait! Look out for my upcoming review for skin-peel.com.

Step parents face challenges that many other parents do not face whatsoever. One of these problems is respect. This week’s positive parenting discusses the pangs of step parenting and what you can do to make it better.

Blended families are pretty much the norm nowadays. From the Brady’s to (dare I say it) the Kardashians, blended families are everywhere. But what can you do if you married someone who has a child or children from a previous relationship? Whether you are ready or not, in that situation you will be stepping into the shoes of a parent and if you do not already have children of your own, you will undoubtedly have an interesting road ahead of you.

It could be said that becoming a step parent to a baby or toddler is very different from becoming a step parent to a tween, teen or a child whose age in between four and 10 years old. As with any other parenting challenge, the key is to stay positive. Easier said than done in certain situations, I know.

One of the things that you must do is to keep the lines of communication open with your spouse especially when it comes to parenting. Find out their parenting style and creatively come up with ways to balance that style. Develop tough skin, because there may be times when you just might hear the words, “you’re not my real mother/father!” Be prepared to respond to this sternly yet with compassion letting your stepson or stepdaughter that you are their real parent regardless of your last name or blood type, you are there in their lives because you care and love them.

Realize that there can be light at the end of the tunnel and consider taking multiple approaches to parenting. Remember that you are your child’s (biological or step child) parent first, so avoid trying to overcompensate your role in their lives by being a friend.

Consider sitting down with your step child (or step children) and hear them out. Do they like you and this new situation? Are they playing the blame game and what are their expectations, if any? This is not to say that you are going to be a doormat to them, but it will help you understand where they are coming from. Additionally, hearing them out will give you an upper hand on how to perfect your parenting strategies. Remember that mutual respect is essential, so if you are not giving respect to your step children, you can’t really expect to get it.

Parenting is a wonderful journey and each day you will learn something new. If you are a step parent, consider making friendships with other parents who have gone through what you are going through, and realize that you are not a second class parent - you are a parent who plays a crucial role in the lives of your children.

It's hardly believable that this movement is gaining momentum and the support of parents and non-parents alike. The central theme of the movement is to prevent children between the ages of 0-6 from coming into establishments with their parents.
Why - you ask? People are tired of babies crying is pretty much the sole reason.

It is utterly crazy that businesses are stooping to this level. My issue with the "movement" is how on earth can a parent (new or seasoned) prevent a baby or tired toddler from crying? These things are not always predictable. Most of the people who are quickly jumping onto the "NKA" bandwagon are singles, couples and even a few families with older children. All are citing something to the effect that parents need to better raise their children to behave in public.

Many seem to be missing the point. If a toddler or baby is fussy then their only means of communication is to cry. Adults seem to forget that they were at one time children. Additionally, none of the "no kids allowed" supporters seem to own up to their own misbehavior as adults in public. The people who yell on their cell phones (as if the other person can't hear them or maybe they just want the world to know that they own a blackberry.) What about the adults who ordered their steaks medium rare and the waitress brings it back well done - you've no doubt seen how inappropriate, loud and just plain ugly adults behave in public, at restaurants and in the movie theaters daily.

As a parent, I'm in shock over the entire movement. But at the same time I only spend my money at kid friendly places. If I choose to talk my child out to a nice restaurant, I always choose one that is kid friendly and I tend to go during non-dating hours.

I just find it unbelievable how many people are intolerant of children. What would happen if parents decided that couples, and singles shouldn't be allowed at amusement parks, or at the matinee movies on weekends? What would happen if parents took a stand and said that people over a certain age weren't allowed at water parks, go-cart riding, arcades, and the countless other places where singles and couples go to feel like a kid again - like Disneyland/Disneyworld Resorts, aquariums and science centers nationwide, and family resorts?

(From The "Positive Parenting" Files...)

If you're the parent of a preschooler or toddler then you have probably encountered the problem of getting your child to sleep at a reasonable time. It seems like an impossible thing to do, especially when you look at the nearest clock which reads midnight and your little one is wide awake. What can you do to make the situation better?

First and foremost, you will need to find out exactly how long your child naps for during the day. You can easily request that your childcare provider limit the length of the midday nap. If you have already tried doing such then it is time to move on to more drastic tactics.

The key to getting your little one to sleep is to have a set routine and stick with it. Whether that is giving a bath, reading a book and then getting them off to bed or what have you, it is important to establish a routine. Starting off wrong can spell disaster for you in the long run.

Many experts suggest bargaining with your child. For example, if your little one enjoys drawing pictures you might make the following bargain, “One more picture and then it’s off to bed.” If that doesn’t work then you might consider having soft, soothing music play in the background. Quite often music can soothe the mind of even the most active youngster.

Another tip is to make sure that the décor of your child’s room is appealing to them. Have them help select the bed linen and wall appliqués as well. If your child feels that the room is inviting then they are more apt to want to spend more time in there. Your little one will begin to associate bedtime with going to their room that they like. This will make the bed time transition that much easier.

Cut down on sweets after dinner. Sugar can serve as an energy booster especially in small children who love to play. For toddlers and preschoolers the to play is to explore new things and have tons of fun. You will find that doing something as simple as cutting sweets out will have a powerful and lasting effect on the night time behavior of your child. It will also help in getting them to sleep and in the swing of a sleep routine.

If by chance you have tried all of the above and you are at your wits end, then you might need to speak with your child’s pediatrician for guidance. While erratic sleep times may appear to be normal amongst toddlers and preschoolers, it is important that you consult with a medical professional if you have tried everything to get your child to sleep.

One of the things that you might consider, prior to going to see a pediatrician, is to have your child sleep in bed with you. This may be helpful in getting them to bed at a reasonable time.

Be sure to check out Positive Parenting Weekly only on Patch.com

I should know because I am one of the proud shepherds known as single parents. And while it can be tough, let me tell you the rewards are priceless.

Here are a few stats that I bet you didn't know:

1) There are an estimated 13.7 million single parents in the United States today? Well, according to the U.S. Census Bureau 2009 report single parents are responsible for raising 26 percent of children who are under the age of 21 in the United States.

2) Single parenting is something that can either happen by choice or circumstance. (For most of us it is the latter, but there are a few out there who can find themselves straddling either category.

3) Many single parents live by the mantra that it "takes a village to raise a child" and readily call on their "village" of people to aid in the parenting process. This has an amazing impact on a child's life and can definitely have a positive impact that can last throughout adulthood.

So the next time you meet a single parent, tell them that they rock!

Amy Chua took the world by storm with her bestselling book entitled "Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother." But, it seemed that most people misunderstood where she was going with it....

Anyone can be a tiger mom - and Chua certainly details the criteria for such. However, many readers tended to harp on her "unconventional" parenting methods (that even she mentioned did not always work)instead of reading the book and seeing it as one mother's ever-evolving and amazing journey into parenting.

Chua is different than most and similar in many uncanny ways to familial matriarchs coast-to-coast and around the world. Her savvy for motherhood is both refreshing and a bit unnerving. Sure, to the conventional American mind, she may have seemed to be a bit strict, but to her credit, the stern was the only way that she knew how to instill the tools for success in her children. Do I agree with everything that she did? Not, at all. Do I credit her for her bravery in revealing the intimate details? Absolutely.

No parent is perfect, so why judge Chua for methods that she soon found out were not as effective as she thought when employed on her children?

There is much to be said about child care providers, and I am sure that this post will inevitably end up being part of a blog series on here. Nonetheless, it can be said that most parents are left to wonder if they are getting what they are paying for.

There are many avenues of childcare, if you are a working parent, you would more than likely opt for either a relative (if you're lucky) or a major-chain childcare center. There are those who may have an affinity towards home-childcare facilities. All have perks, and downfalls.

Childcare is one of those things that may leave parents forever wondering if they have made the right decision. Speaking from experience, I have tried all categories of childcare, and have been sadly disappointed for several reasons. When you opt to go for a major-childcare center, most of the time you are not informed that the staff is primarily made up of non-degreed, (in many cases) unprofessional employees. Depending on the state in which you reside, you will be interested in learning that in order to work at a childcare center one need only be 18 years of age and have taken a 80-90 credit, certification course. There is a HUGE difference between a certification course and Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood Education. Most (a rough generalization would be 75%) of the staff have only taken a certification course. This means that they attend a class and that's it. There is no required internship for passing the course, and in many cases CPR is not instructed in these courses. Here lies an issue - it can be assumed that anyone who loves children can sign up for the certification course and then work around your child.

This is the same with in-home, childcare providers. They operate out of their homes and have to meet state licensing requirements which (depending on your state) does not mean that these individuals are required to do an internship in a childcare facility in order to be licensed to watch children. This simply means that anyone can say "I want to start a daycare in my home" and after meeting state requirements they are "qualified" to watch children.

This may be a bit extreme but I feel that if a doctor has to go to medical school, get degreed, and do a residency to service patients, then a childcare provider should have to attend college, and be properly trained in childhood education and social psychology of children as well as get a degree and do an internship before they are allowed to watch children. Teachers in school systems are degreed, why aren't childcare providers. More to come on this issue....